Personal Finance Blog

The Most Common DOT Violations and How-to Avoid Them

Commercial vehicle carriers and drivers are charged with maintaining and operating their vehicles in a manner that falls within safety guidelines set forth by the United States Department Of Transportation or DOT. While the vast majority of commercial truck lines accomplish this goal, some do not and accidents happen. The following is an overview of the most common DOT violations today.

Non-Functional Headlamps And Tail Lights

One of the most common safety violations today is malfunctioning or non-working headlamps and tail lights, which is true of both commercial and passenger vehicles. Trucking companies are required to regularly inspect all lighting systems on their vehicles and replace the parts necessary to ensure public safety.

Tires With Insufficient Tread

The DOT requires all commercial vehicles to have tires with more than 2/32 inch tread depth, according to Truckinfo.com. Any tire tread depth that falls short triggers a violation and hefty fines.

Oil Leaks

Leaky oil gaskets are one of the most common safety violations today. Oil leaks increase the risk of fire dramatically and operators will face fines for this issue. Failure to remedy oil leaks in commercial vehicles can mean stiffer penalties for carriers and closer inspection of their entire fleet.

Failure To Drug Screen Drivers

Commercial vehicle carriers are required to comply with DOT regulations regarding drug screening. According to North American Transportation, employers who do not screen drivers before employment are at risk of being in violation . Commercial carriers must also perform random drug testing on all drivers who hold a CDL license and test after accidents to be sure the driver was not impaired.

Driving Without A License

Every driver who operates a commercial vehicle is required to hold the appropriate driver’s license before hitting the highways. To obtain a CDL, drivers must take a course and pass the appropriate driver’s exam as well as a DOT physical every few years. These guidelines are in place to ensure all drivers who operate a commercial vehicle have the knowledge necessary to deliver their goods safely.

The Department Of Transportation monitors all vehicles on the highways in order to reduce accidents and increase public safety. Those who fail to comply with these regulations will face penalties, fines and perhaps the ability to run commercial vehicles in the U.S. Once a driver or commercial carrier has been found to be in violation, the appropriate measures must be taken to remedy the situation within the given time frame.